Five CFB value bets to make while in Vegas for NCAA tourney

Five CFB value bets to make while in Las Vegas for March Madness

So, you’re heading to Las Vegas to lay down some cash during March Madness? Great. That also means you have an opportunity to seek out some winnings for the upcoming college football season. We sorted through the 2014 Heisman Tropy and national championship odds and offer five value bets you should take a strong glance at while in Vegas for hoops (odds courtesy of Bovada).

Getty Images/iStockphotoRoel Smart

5. Oklahoma to win national title -- 12/1

Out of the “favorites,” the Sooners offer the most value. They get Texas, Baylor, Kansas State and Oklahoma State all at home. Where will the Sooners trip up? If Davis Webb plays like he did against ASU in last year’s Holiday Bowl, at Texas Tech could be tricky. At TCU? At West Virginia? Nah. Oklahoma has the best path to the Big 12 title, which would put Bob Stoops' squad in prime position for a playoff berth.

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY SportsMatthew Emmons

4. Michigan State to win national title -- 20/1

The Spartans are at Oregon in Week 2, but even a loss there wouldn’t hurt their conference standing, which is the most important thing with the playoff format. They get Nebraska, Michigan and Ohio State all at home, with the most difficult Big Ten game probably at Penn State to end the year, if James Franklin has the Nittany Lions humming and Christian Hackenberg becomes the star many expect him to be in 2014. Good chance Michigan State returns to Indy to defend its league crown.

Kirby Lee-USA TODAY SportsKirby Lee

3. Myles Jack to win Heisman Trophy -- 33/1

We know how difficult it is for a defensive player to win the Heisman, but Jack has the advantage of getting reps at running back with UCLA. Say he becomes Anthony Barr Lite – or straight Barr 2.0 – on defense this season at linebacker/edge rusher and puts up big sack numbers while also rumbling for 1,000-plus yards and 15-plus TDs. That would be a crazy season, but can Jack do it? Certainly, which would make him a lock for New York and a strong contender if UCLA lives up to its own hype.

Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY SporJayne Kamin-Oncea

2. South Carolina to win national title -- 40/1

As far as “longshots” go, it’s tough to beat the Gamecocks. They’ll have a talented defense even without Jadeveon Clowney. They lose QB Connor Shaw but replace him with Dylan Thompson, a senior with experience and comfort in Steve Spurrier’s offense. They don’t play LSU or Alabama and get Manziel-less Texas A&M and Murray-less Georgia at home. At Florida, at Auburn and at Clemson will be challenges, but you don’t have to squint to see South Carolina winning the SEC East in 2014, putting them on the playoff’s doorstep. For sheer value, there’s plenty to find here.

Getty ImagesWesley Hitt

1. Trevor Knight to win Heisman -- 25/1

The Heisman has both a quarterback and “best player on best team” bias, which doesn’t mean the voting always goes that way, but it’s a safe place to rest your bets. Knight is ready to become a star, and if he does, he’ll put up huge numbers on a top-5 team and will make it very difficult for another candidate to match that combination of personal and team success. He has a lot to prove still, but the pillars for a Heisman run are clearly in place, making 25/1 a great price.